FAMILIES fighting controversial plans to expand Birmingham Airport with a second runway and third terminal have won support from an unexpected quarter - Wales.

FAMILIES fighting controversial plans to expand Birmingham Airport with a second runway and third terminal have won support from an unexpected quarter - Wales.

Lembit Opik, MP for Montgomeryshire, Shadow Welsh Secretary, and Shadow Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, paid a flying visit to Birmingham to discuss the proposals.

The Liberal Democrat, who is a keen pilot, reviewed the plans and toured the areas affected by the airport, including Elmdon Nature Reserve with local campaigner Jean Hamilton, and the proposed expansion.

The airport forecasts that by 2030, it will handle 33 million passengers a year, creating more than 27,000 jobs and generating almost #1 billion for the economy. But families living in the shadow of the airport say the #1.5 billion expansion plan will blight their lives.

Opponents have formed the Birmingham Airport anti-Noise Group (BANG), and claim that while planners say the impact on surrounding people's lives will be less than originally thought, the scheme should still be axed.

Solihull and Meriden Liberal Democrats have opposed plans for a second runway, saying it would have an unacceptable impact on local residents and is not needed for the foreseeable future.

Instead, they are in favour of extending the existing runway to enable it to handle larger aircraft.

"This would mean that Birmingham could compete with Heathrow and Manchester for international flights and have an economic benefit for the whole West Midlands region," said Mr Opik.

"Having visited Birmingham Airport, I can fully understand the importance of the airport for the economy of the West Midlands.

"But I can also see why Solihull MP Lorely Burt has been working so hard to fight against the second runway. The draft master plan has failed to convince me that the runway is actually needed or wanted here.

"If built, I don't doubt that the second runway would have a negative impact on the lives of the local community."

Mrs Burt (Lib Dem) added: "It is ever more clear to me that a second runway is totally unnecessary. It would create more noise and air pollution for local residents."